![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1610c3_4f1dcb9406cb4badbc1f1a5c2ae99526~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_393,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/1610c3_4f1dcb9406cb4badbc1f1a5c2ae99526~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1610c3_0b86586c04ac48b0a4660f15ce9c3027~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_704,h_165,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/1610c3_0b86586c04ac48b0a4660f15ce9c3027~mv2.png)
What materials are considered hazardous and need special management?
-
Business Hazardous Wastes include corrosives, flammable liquids, poisons, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, electronics, photo chemicals, etc.
-
For a complete guide to managing your small business hazardous waste, see this EPA guide:
-
This website focuses on the following universal wastes,* which contain substances that are hazardous to human or environmental health and should not be thrown into the trash:
​
​
​​​​
​
​
Why do I need to handle these items differently?
-
Valuable elements can be recovered and reused from electronics and other materials when properly recycled
-
Hazardous waste can leach harmful substances enter our environment when improperly disposed of The mercury from a single, broken, fluorescent light bulb can contaminate 7,000 gallons of water
-
State and federal hazardous waste regulations require businesses to properly manage these toxic materials as universal wastes*
​
​
*External link. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission does not author third party sites and their reference is for educational purposes only.
![Batteries copy_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ce5d42_31bf7e2649ed41bea723376495bcc4be~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_613,y_313,w_1813,h_1687/fill/w_145,h_135,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Batteries%20copy_edited.jpg)